Journal article
Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Fiji: Prospective surveillance, 2005-2007
AC Steer, J Kado, AWJ Jenney, M Batzloff, L Waqatakirewa, EK Mulholland, JR Carapetis
Medical Journal of Australia | Published : 2009
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the incidence and clinical features of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in Fiji, and the clinical features of patients presenting to hospital in Fiji with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Design and setting: A prospective surveillance study at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva over a 23-month period from December 2005 to November 2007. Main outcome measures: Incidence of ARF; clinical features of ARF and RHD. Results: The average annualised incidence of definite cases of ARF in children aged 5-15 years was 15.2 per 100000 (95% Cl, 9.0-22.6). The clinical features of ARF were similar to those in classic descriptions. Carditis was very common, occurring in 79% of cas..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This study was supported by a grant from the US National Institutes of Health, We thank the Fiji Group A Streptococcal Project team for their assistance in surveillance, including Ms Laisiana Matatolu, Mrs Frances Matanatabu, Ms Maureen Ah Kee and Ms Loraine Kelpie. Ms Roselyn Ritika processed all of the microbiological and serum samples. We also acknowledge the support provided by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, in particular the Director, Professor Michael Good.